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Posts Tagged ‘Germany’

French competitiveness: France’s lost decade

A once-great industrial power looks for inspiration across the Rhine

AS GERMANY powers ahead, France is feeling blue. Its share of European merchandise exports has fallen from 15.7% to 13.1% in a decade. Last month a study comparing French exporters with German ones landed on the desk of France’s economy minister. It makes grim reading.

In 2000 French exports were 55% of Germany’s; now they are barely 40%. France is more competitive (a measure of price, quality and demand) in only three industries: aerospace, drinks and information technology. German cars, trucks and a host of other manufactured goods are streets ahead (see article). …

Afghanistan president to visit India

Manmohan Singh and hamid karzaiAfghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai is leaving for a two-day visit to India where he is to meet with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other senior officials, his spokesman said Wednesday. “President Karzai’s visit is aimed to discuss regional economic capacity development with the Indian authorities,” Seyamak Herawi said. “He will also meet with the [...]

Germany: Debate over women executives

Germany’s ruling coalition remains divided over whether there should be new legislation requiring companies to put more women in their boardrooms.
Christian Democrat Labor Minister Ursula von der Leyen has put forth a plan that would see 30 percent of executive positions in Germany’s large companies filled by women, beginning in 2013.

Train crash in Germany leaves 10 dead

At least 10 people are reported killed and dozens injured when a freight train collided with a regional passenger train in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Police in eastern Germany say at least 10 people were killed when a goods trains crashed head-on with a local passenger train in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, near the city of Magdeburg.

Sat Eye Candy: Tangerine Dream

A NOD TO ONE OF LIVE-ELECTRONICA’S GREAT GRANDFATHERS

Germany’s Tangerine Dream are one of the least name-checked yet most pervasively influential bands of the late 20th century. Without their pioneering work in the 1970s, alongside kindred spirits like Can and Faust, it’s hard to imagine STS9, Lotus and many of today’s revered livetronica acts coming into being. Tangerine Dream injected hemoglobin into modernist sounds, a breathing ghost inside the rising machine world around them. What they helped get rolling continues now in a fresh generation hungry for the same kind of interface with the world at large. Today is the 58th birthday of Peter Baumann, one of Tangerine Dream’s core members during their early-to-mid-seventies heyday. Baumann also started the popular New Age music label Private Music in the 1980s. We offer our birthday well wishes and present a few snippets of this landmark band in their prime. (Dennis Cook)

If this doesn’t give you a big ol’ analog keyboard boner we don’t know what will!

From meditative to positively ferocious runs this version of “Ricochet.”

And here’s a studio clip of the same piece.

A strange, alien elegance clings to pieces like this one.

This performance predates Baumann’s joining the group but it’s just too sweet a moment not to share. There were apparently freaky people everywhere in 1969.

Another pleasantly peculiar early video from the band taken from 1971. The whole thing verily screams, “Art!!!”

In the 1980s Tangerine Dream achieved much wider recognition worldwide, particularly in the U.S. where they toured extensively and provided music for a number of films. Here’s a rare clip of the band in the late 80s that encapsulates their gentler approach in that decade.

We conclude with a couple Baumann solo cuts including his minor New Wave pop hit.


Germany approves new Afghanistan mandate

The German lower house of parliament has approved the government’s new Afghanistan mandate, Deutsche Welle reported. It proposes that the withdrawal of German troops should begin by the end of 2011 and be completed by 2014.

Are We Accidentally Medicating Ourselves Into a Mind-Numbing, Body-Weakening Stupor?

The Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, Glenn D. Braunstein, M.D., noted Wednesday:In a … study by the United States Geological Survey that tested for 95 contaminants in water supplies nationwide, 80 percent of the samples fr…

Iran nuclear talks end without agreement

Two days of talks on Iran’s controversial nuclear program have ended without agreement.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton says she was disappointed with the outcome of the talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, a group known as the P5 + 1.

Paul The Psychic Octopus Memorial

Paul the Psychic Octopus is floating around in the Great Aquarium in the sky, but the wizard of World Cup predictions will live on in the hearts of the sports fans who adored him…in the form of a German shrine. Paul won worldwide acclaim last summer after he correctly predicting the results of seven Germany [...]

Foo Fighters Tease New Album Due Out Spring 2011

FOO FIGHTERS UNVEIL FIRST TASTE OF NEW ALBUM;
CONFIRMED FOR SPRING 2011 RELEASE ON
ROSWELL/RCA

Foo Fighters have launched
http://tease.foofighters.com, featuring a first taste of
“Bridge Burning,” the opening track of the band’s seventh full length studio album, due out this spring on
Roswell/RCA. Check out the teaser below.

The album, produced by Butch Vig and mixed by Alan Moulder, was recorded entirely on analog
tape in the garage of Dave Grohl‘s home in California’s San Fernando Valley. The new record marks the
Foo Fighters’ first full length effort with legendary producer Butch Vig, whom Grohl first worked with on Nirvana‘s classic Nevermind.
Nirvana co-founder Krist Novoselic also makes a cameo, contributing bass and accordion to “I Should
Have Known,” while former Nirvana touring guitarist and longtime extended FF family member Pat Smear
now joins the permanent FF core of Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett.

Concurrent with the album’s release, Exclusive Media Group’s documentary division Spitfire Pictures will be
producing a feature documentary about the Foo Fighters to be directed by Academy Award winner James
Moll
(The Last Days, Running The Sahara). The documentary will chronicle the entire history of the Foo
Fighters, from the cassette demos Grohl
recorded during his tenure as Nirvana’s drummer through their ascent to their Grammy-winning, multi-platinum,
arena and stadium headlining status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.

The new Foo Fighters record will be supported by an extensive world tour. The band is confirmed to headline across
the worldwide summer festival circuit, including
Washington state’s Sasquatch!, the UK’s Isle of White, Pink Pop in the Netherlands, Germany’s Southside and
Hurricane, Oxegen in Ireland, T in the Park in Scotland, Optimus Alive in Portgual, and more to be announced as
they are confirmed.

Foo Fighters
Tour Dates

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Foo Fighters News
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Foo Fighters
Concert
Reviews


Ron Sexsmith Announces Tour Dates & New Album

ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW FOR PRE-ODER AT WWW.RONSEXSMITH.COM


Long Player Late Bloomer

Ron Sexsmith has
announced the initial dates for his world-wide concert tour in support of his forthcoming album, Long
Player Late Bloomer
. Beginning with a few scattered U.S. dates in February, the tour kicks off in earnest
in March in North America before heading to Europe in late April.

Long Player Late Bloomer will be released on Tuesday, March 1, 2011. A very special limited edition of the
album is now available for pre-order at www.ronsexsmith.com. This must-have limited edition collectable of the
album includes the CD of Long Player Late Bloomer as well as a DVD comprised of the CMT Canada TV
specials “Late Bloomer Long Player” (includes tracks not seen on the broadcast) and “Dakota Sessions.” The package
also includes a Ron Sexsmith lithograph. The first 200 fans ordering the package will receive signed lithographs.
Fans also have the option of pre-ordering the CD alone or Vinyl with a bonus CD. With all pre-orders, fans will
instantly receive an MP3 of the track “Get In Line.”

Produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi and Michael Buble), Long Player Late Bloomer was
recorded in Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver during the winter of 2010. The album features a star-studded cast
of musicians backing up Ron in the studio, including guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), bassist
Paul Bushnell (Elton John, No Doubt), keyboardist Jamie Edwards (Aimee Mann) and drummer
Josh Freese (Devo, Nine Inch Nails).

Ron Sexsmith Tour dates:

01/21 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club

02/13 – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage
02/16 – Nashville, TN – Music City Roots

02/19 – Memphis, TN – Folk Alliance

03/03 – Toronto, ON – Canadian Place

03/03 – Kingston, ON – Sydenham Uni. Church
03/04 – Collingwood, ON – Gayety Theatre
03/05 – London, ON – Aeolian Hall
03/08 – 09 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton
03/21 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
03/22 – Chicago, IL – Schuba’s Tavern

03/24 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe
03/25 – Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java Music Club
03/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel

03/27 – Cambridge, MA – T.T. The Bears
03/28 – New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
03/30 – Edmonton, AB – Haven Social Club
03/31 – Calgary, AB – Ironwood Stage and Grill

04/01 – Vancouver, BC – Rio Theatre
04/02 – Victoria, BC – St. Ann’s Auditorium
04/07 – San Francisco, CA – Cafe Du Nord

04/08 – Los Angeles, CA – Largo @ The Coronet
04/15 – Ottawa, ON – First Baptist Church

04/16 – Peterborough, ON – Market Hall

04/19 – Waterloo, ON – Starlight
04/20 – Hamilton, ON – Hamilton Place

04/21 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace

04/25 – Stockholm, Sweden – Gota Kallore
04/27 – Berlin, Germany – Admiralspalast
04/28 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – People’s Place

04/30 – London, United Kingdom – Barbican Hall
05/02 – Paris, France – La Maroquinerie
05/03 – Cologne, Germany – Kulturkirche

05/04 – Ghent, Belgium – Handelsbeurs

Ron Sexsmith
Tour Dates

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Ron Sexsmith News
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Ron Sexsmith
Concert
Reviews


The Dodos World Tour

FOURTH LP NO COLOR OUT MARCH 15


The Dodos

The Dodos are heading out
on tour starting March 10 at the Lincoln Lounge in Reno, NV in support of their upcoming album No
Color
, out March 15. Starting February 1, fans can pre-order No Color at DodosMusic.net and get an immediate download of “Black Night” off the
new album.

US + European 2011 Tour

3/10/2011 – Reno, NV – Lincoln Lounge
3/11/2011 – Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar

3/12/2011 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress

3/13/2011 – Phoenix, AZ – The Duce
3/14/2011 – Santa Fe, NM – Warehouse 21

3/15/2011 – Austin, TX- SXSW

3/16/2011 – Austin, TX- SXSW
3/17/2011 – Austin, TX- SXSW

3/18/2011 – Austin, TX- SXSW

3/19/2011 – Austin, TX- SXSW

3/20/2011 – Norman, OK – Opolis
3/21/2011 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar

3/22/2011 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room

3/23/2011 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center

3/24/2011 – Fargo, ND – Aquarium
3/25/2011 – Winnipeg, MB – West End

3/26/2011 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigo’s

3/28/2011 – Calgary, AB – Republik

3/29/2011 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite

3/31/2011 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw

4/01/2011 – Victoria, BC – Sugar

4/02/2011 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo
4/04/2011 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
4/05/2011 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir

4/07/2011 – San Francisco, CA – Filmore

4/08/2011 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater

4/09/2011 – San Diego, CA – Casbah

4/27/2011 – Donostia, Spain – Gazteszena

4/28/2011 – Vigo, Spain – University

4/29/2011 – Madrid, Spain – El Sol

4/30/2011 – Barcelona, Spain – Plaça de la Odissea (Free Outdoor show)

5/02/2011 – Grenoble, France – Le Ciel
5/03/2011 – Milan, Italy – Salumeria Della Musica

5/04/2011 – Rome, Italy – Circolo Degli Artisti

5/05/2011 – Ravenna, Italy – Bronson

5/06/2011 – Aarau, Switzerland – Kiff
5/07/2011 – Munich, Germany – 59-1
5/09/2011 – Berlin, Germany – Magnet

5/10/2011 – Hamburg, Germany – Prinzenbar

5/11/2011 – Cologne, Germany – Blue Shell

5/12/2011 – Nijmegen, Holland – Doornroosje

5/13/2011 – Amsterdam, Holland – Melkweg

5/14/2011 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique Festival

5/16/2011 – Vendome, France – La Chapelle Vendome

5/17/2011 – Strasbourg, France – La Laiterie

5/18/2011 – Paris, France – Divan du Monde

5/19/2011 – London, UK – Scala

5/20/2011 – Manchester, UK – Deaf Institute

5/21/2011 – Glasgow, UK – Arches

The Dodos
Tour Dates

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The Dodos News
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The Dodos
Concert
Reviews


The Black Keys Tour Cancelled Due To Exhaustion

The Black Keys are sleepy. The bluesy-rock duo, comprised of musicians Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney, cancelled their tour of Australia — Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne — and New Zealand this week due to exhaustion. Shows in Germany, Switzerland, and France scheduled for March have also been scrapped. In a statement Monday, the [...]

Sunday Eye Candy: Can

A PRIMARY ANCESTOR IN MODERN ROCK MUSIC

We’ll return this feature to its usual Saturday spot next week but felt like mixing it upÂ…

For a lot of folks under the age of 30, Germany’s Can are an unknown factor in rock’s DNA. Rules breakers, pioneer jammers and melders of disparate elements, Can whispers in the background of bands as diverse as Phish, Aphex Twin, Comets On Fire, Tricky and countless others. One of the group’s lead singers, Damo Suzuki, turns 60 today. In honor of he and his former band’s influence on modern music, we offer this small sampling of their work and blow him a birthday kiss. (Dennis Cook)


Germany denies organizing coup in Belarus

An official Belarus newspaper has accused Poland and Germany of organizing a coup.

The German Foreign Ministry said the accusations were absurd. The EU has warned of new sanctions unless protesters are released.

Germany, Russia, Italy Serbia’s top trade partners

Serbia’s main trade partners in 2010 were Germany, Russia and Italy, accounting for one third of Serbia’s foreign trade.

In the first 11 months of 2010, the trade with Germany was worth USD 2.5bn, with Russia USD 2.4bn, and with Italy USD 2.3bn.

Obama honours Holbrooke as ‘hardheaded’ and ‘clear-eyed’

barack-obama-2US President Barack Obama and other American dignitaries celebrated the life of late diplomat Richard Holbrooke Friday, honouring his endless determination to make the world a better place. Hundreds turned out at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington to attend the memorial service for Holbrooke, who died suddenly in December [...]

Jan. 13, 1942: Ejection Seat Works, Pilot Elated

1942: At the height of World War II, German test pilot Helmut Schenck becomes the first person known to use an ejection seat to successfully exit his aircraft in an emergency situation.
Schenck, testing a Heinkel He-280 jet fighter, was in tow behind a conventionally powered aircraft when his plane iced up, making it impossible to [...]

Germany: Dioxin contamination spreads to pigs

For the first time since the dioxin scandal broke out in Germany, the toxin has been found in pigs, reports Deutsche Welle. EU officials have confirmed that the animal feed was also exported to France and Denmark.

Amazon EC2 Used to Crack Password Encryption on Wireless Networks

A security researcher will reveal at Black Hat DC how he deployed password-testing software on Amazon EC2 to break into a secured wireless network using WPA-PSK. – Specialized software running over Amazon’s cloud services can be used to
crack passwords on wireless networks, said a German security researcher on Jan.
7.
Thomas Roth, a security and software
engineering consultant at Lanworks AG, in Cologne,
Germany, will be
publicizing his research at the …